Pit Bulls Get a Bad Rap?

Pit Bulls Get a Bad Rap?

Willie, named for William the Conquerer by his owner, General George Patton. (Photo Famous American Pit Bulls)

Spartan is available for adoption from the Humane Society of Harford County. Spartan is calm, sweet and has the best manners! (Photo, Humane Society)

Sallie was the mascot of the 11th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. Sallie was present at the Battle of Gettysburg, where she stood guard over dead and wounded Union soldiers. A monument to her was erected in Gettysburg.

Petey was the mascot for the 1930's Our Gang. (Photo Famous American Pit Bulls)

What is it about the pit bull that has resulted in breed specific legislation?During the first three-quarters of the last century, these dogs were media darlings.Just take Petey, the buddy of the Little Rascals, or General George PattonÆs companion, Willie. How did this friend of kids and companions to the powerful end up with the opposite reputation?

Jon Bastian who writes on Dog Care says pit bulls are commonly confident, people-oriented dogs that can develop a strong sense of dependence on their humans.But he cautions that caring for a pit bull requires an extremely responsible person.Bastion has his own theory on how these dogs earned a bad reputation.In 1971, a new law allowed the U.S. Postal Service to bill people for injuries caused to letter carriers by their dogs, but it applied to all dogs, and the general attitude was still one of human responsibility. In a syndicated New York Times story from 1977 on dog bites, opening with the story of a seven year-old boy receiving a very minor injury from a Great Dane, author Jane E. Brody advises, ô(S)imple precautions on the part of the dog owners and potential victims could prevent most of these attacks.ö

Less than a decade later, that had all changed and by New YearÆs Day 1986, over thirty communities were considering breed specific legislation and ban on pit bulls. What changed? For one thing, despite being illegal in all fifty states, dog fighting made a comeback in the 80s, and the pit bull is the dog of choice. It is also the preferred guard dog for drug dealers and gangs.By the summer of 1987, every single proposed ban had become law, but not necessarily with the support of animal professionals. Kent Salazar, head of AlbuquerqueÆs animal control division, commented at the time of their proposed ban on pit bulls that he didnÆt think a ban on pit bulls was necessary, saying, ôWe have all the means to protect people with clauses about vicious dogs.ö He also noted that, a few years previously, Doberman pinschers were the target of such bans. His words went unheeded, and Tijeras, New Mexico, just outside of Albuquerque, passed the toughest pit bull ban of the time, allowing animal control officers to seize and destroy them on sight without compensation to the owner.

The various pit bull breed bans are decried by animal control officials as ôthe most concentrated legal assault on a pit bull bans they can recall,ö as well as ôcanine racism.ö The Houston Chronicle quoted unnamed officials as placing the blame for the problem squarely on humans. ô(M)any of the pit bull attacks are due to a skyrocketing number of poorly bred and badly trained dogs raised by backyard breeders, who are trying to cash in on the pit bullÆs growing reputation as a cheap, but deadly effective guard dog, particularly in urban areas.ö

Nearly thirty years after the beginning of this anti-pit bull hysteria, the tide seems to be turning a little bit, but every step forward is followed by a step back. Even as Florida is attempting to overturn all breed-specific legislation, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin is considering imposing a new ban. Yet it only takes a brief look at the history of pit bulls to realize that the dogs are not the problem; the humans who misuse them are. For over a hundred years, holding the owners personally responsible was enough to prevent attacks, and the breed was perceived as very child-friendly. With outreach and education, it may be possible to restore that image and rehabilitate the pit bullÆs reputation, restoring an iconic American dog to its rightful place among mankindÆs best friends.